Arizona and Texas are set to expand their border walls, influenced by recent federal government actions.
In the Grand Canyon State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection constructed a 27-mile wall, costing over $300 million, with Fisher Sand & Gravel as the contractor—a firm that worked throughout Trump’s first term.
This project is specifically occurring in Santa Cruz County, which is predominantly rural and includes Nogales. The funds have already been earmarked in CBP’s 2021 budget. After President Biden took office, many border wall contracts were canceled, resulting in materials being left unused at various locations, including the Tucson sector.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is taking measures to hasten the construction of border walls in areas of Arizona, California, and Texas that still have gaps. She’s issued several environmental waivers to prevent delays in the work.
Notably, the fifth waiver was recently signed off for a 17-mile section in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Earlier in the month, DHS approved a 36-mile corridor for wall development stretching across Arizona and New Mexico, covering Tucson, El Paso, and the Yuma sector. California is also expected to accelerate environmental exemptions, which suggests more wall construction is on the horizon.
Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Line expressed support for President Trump’s focus on border security, emphasizing the importance of completing the wall along the southern border.
Opponents of the wall have raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding the effects on wildlife, with groups like the Sierra Club and the ACLU having previously challenged the federal government in court.
Interestingly, since President Trump took office, the situation at the southern border has been relatively quiet. Recent statistics show a significant drop in illegal crossings, with CBP reporting a notable decline in encounters compared to previous months.
In a statement, a CBP representative highlighted that under the current administration, there has been substantial support, resulting in a 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border this month compared to last year. The ongoing enforcement efforts are showing significant results in securing the homeland and ensuring the safety of American communities.
